Speech Therapy for Children With Rare Genetic Conditions and Childhood Apraxia of Speech

The goal of this trial is to learn if speech therapy can improve speech accuracy in children with rare genetic conditions and childhood apraxia of speech (CAS). This study will look at each child individually. Participants will complete 4-weeks of motor speech therapy (3 times per week) and will complete speech assessments before, during and after therapy to measure change. The motor speech therapy will be either Rapid Syllable Transition Treatment (ReST) or Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cueing (DTTC). Assignment to ReST or DTTC will be based on the participant's age and speech ability. This trial will not compare ReST and DTTC.

Inclusion Criteria: * Children aged between 3 and 16 years, with a confirmed genetic condition and a diagnosis of childhood apraxia of speech; English as the primary language at home; able to participate in speech therapy 3 times per week for 4 weeks Exclusion Criteria: * Diagnosis of an acquired brain or movement condition likely to affect speech; currently receiving motor speech therapy in the community; diagnosis of a behavioural condition likely to impact engagement (i.e., unable to participate for 45 minutes, unable to focus attention at the speech therapist's face for a few minutes at a time, unable to say any sounds and/or use gesture, unable to try to copy speech therapist; intolerant to touch (if touch cues are needed for DTTC)